Definition: Cookie: The most common meaning of "Cookie" on the Internet refers to a piece of information sent by a Web Server to a Web Browser that the Browser software is expected to save and to send back to the Server whenever the browser makes additional requests from the Server. Depending on the type of Cookie used, and the Browsers' settings, the Browser may accept or not accept the Cookie, and may save the Cookie for either a short time or a long time. Cookies might contain information such as login or registration information, online "shopping cart" information, user preferences, etc. When a Server receives a request from a Browser that includes a Cookie, the Server is able to use the information stored in the Cookie. For example, the Server might customize what is sent back to the user, or keep a log of particular users' requests.
Cookies are usually set to expire after a predetermined amount of time and are usually saved in memory until the Browser software is closed down, at which time they may be saved to disk if their "expire time" has not been reached. Cookies do not read your hard drive and send your life story to the CIA, but they can be used to gather more information about a user than would be possible without them.
How to Enable Cookies
To enable cookies, follow the instructions below for the browser version you are using.
Mozilla Firefox (2.0+ and 3.0+)
* Go to the "Tools" menu.
* Select "Options".
* Select the "Privacy" icon in the above panel.
* Check the box corresponding to "Accept cookies from sites". and "Accept third party cookies" if you are happy to do so.
* Click "OK" to save changes.
* There are a few other options with FF2+, and are self explantory
Mozilla Firefox (1.0+ final release and earlier)
* Go to the "Tools" menu.
* Select "Options".
* Select the "Privacy" icon in the left panel.
* Check the box corresponding to "Allow sites to set cookies".
* Click "OK" to save changes.
* There are a few other options with FF2+, and are self explantory
Netscape 7.1/Mozilla 5.0
* Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
* Click on the arrow next to "Privacy & Security" in the scrolling window to expand.
* Under "Privacy & Security", select "Cookies."
* Select "Enable all cookies".
* Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+, 7.0+, 8.0+
* Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
* Click on the "Privacy" tab.
* Click the "Default" button (or manually slide the bar down to "Medium") under "Settings".
* Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x
* Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
* Click on the "Security" tab.
* Click the "Custom Level" button.
* Scroll down to the "Cookies" section.
* To enable:
o Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Enable".
o Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable".
* Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x
* Select "Internet Options" from the View menu.
* Click on the "Advanced" tab.
* Scroll down to find "Cookies" within the "Security" section.
* To enable:
o Select "Always accept cookies".
* Click "OK".
Netscape Communicator 4.x
* Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
* Find the "Cookies" section in the "Advanced" category.
* To enable:
o Select "Accept all cookies" (or "Enable all cookies").
* Click "OK".
Apple Safari 3.0+
When you use the default cookie preferences in Safari, you won't know when Safari is accepting or sending cookies.You can change your cookies preferences so that Safari doesn't accept cookies or accepts them only from limited sources.
Important: Changing your safari cookie preferences or removing cookies may cause similar changes in other applications.
To change safari cookie preferences:
*Choose Edit > Preferences.
*Click Security.
*In the Accept Cookies section, choose how you want Safari to handle cookies. Click the Help button (question mark) to see
an explanation of the options.
If you want to see more information about the cookies stored on your computer, click Show Cookies. The following
information is displayed for each cookie::
Website that stored the cookie.
Name.
Path, or location, on your computer.
Secure status; cookies marked “secure” are sent over an encrypted connection.
Expiration date; when it will be removed from your computer.
Content; normally a string of code.
If you've set Safari to block cookies, you may need to temporarily accept cookies to open a page. Repeat the above steps, selecting Always.
When you're done with the page, turn off cookies again and remove the page's cookies.
©2008 Google
updated march 2009 James Fraser
Cookies are usually set to expire after a predetermined amount of time and are usually saved in memory until the Browser software is closed down, at which time they may be saved to disk if their "expire time" has not been reached. Cookies do not read your hard drive and send your life story to the CIA, but they can be used to gather more information about a user than would be possible without them.
How to Enable Cookies
To enable cookies, follow the instructions below for the browser version you are using.
Mozilla Firefox (2.0+ and 3.0+)
* Go to the "Tools" menu.
* Select "Options".
* Select the "Privacy" icon in the above panel.
* Check the box corresponding to "Accept cookies from sites". and "Accept third party cookies" if you are happy to do so.
* Click "OK" to save changes.
* There are a few other options with FF2+, and are self explantory
Mozilla Firefox (1.0+ final release and earlier)
* Go to the "Tools" menu.
* Select "Options".
* Select the "Privacy" icon in the left panel.
* Check the box corresponding to "Allow sites to set cookies".
* Click "OK" to save changes.
* There are a few other options with FF2+, and are self explantory
Netscape 7.1/Mozilla 5.0
* Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
* Click on the arrow next to "Privacy & Security" in the scrolling window to expand.
* Under "Privacy & Security", select "Cookies."
* Select "Enable all cookies".
* Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+, 7.0+, 8.0+
* Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
* Click on the "Privacy" tab.
* Click the "Default" button (or manually slide the bar down to "Medium") under "Settings".
* Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x
* Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
* Click on the "Security" tab.
* Click the "Custom Level" button.
* Scroll down to the "Cookies" section.
* To enable:
o Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Enable".
o Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable".
* Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x
* Select "Internet Options" from the View menu.
* Click on the "Advanced" tab.
* Scroll down to find "Cookies" within the "Security" section.
* To enable:
o Select "Always accept cookies".
* Click "OK".
Netscape Communicator 4.x
* Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
* Find the "Cookies" section in the "Advanced" category.
* To enable:
o Select "Accept all cookies" (or "Enable all cookies").
* Click "OK".
Apple Safari 3.0+
When you use the default cookie preferences in Safari, you won't know when Safari is accepting or sending cookies.You can change your cookies preferences so that Safari doesn't accept cookies or accepts them only from limited sources.
Important: Changing your safari cookie preferences or removing cookies may cause similar changes in other applications.
To change safari cookie preferences:
*Choose Edit > Preferences.
*Click Security.
*In the Accept Cookies section, choose how you want Safari to handle cookies. Click the Help button (question mark) to see
an explanation of the options.
If you want to see more information about the cookies stored on your computer, click Show Cookies. The following
information is displayed for each cookie::
Website that stored the cookie.
Name.
Path, or location, on your computer.
Secure status; cookies marked “secure” are sent over an encrypted connection.
Expiration date; when it will be removed from your computer.
Content; normally a string of code.
If you've set Safari to block cookies, you may need to temporarily accept cookies to open a page. Repeat the above steps, selecting Always.
When you're done with the page, turn off cookies again and remove the page's cookies.
©2008 Google
updated march 2009 James Fraser
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